Lovercamp's two dingers fuel Chiefs over Well-Nap

Senior Ben Catlett smashed a pair of doubles and drove in four runs during the Chiefs' 12-2 win at Wellington-Napoleon. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

WELLINGTON -- Junior Matt Lovercamp cracked a pair of two-run homers Thursday to give the top-ranked defending state Class 1 champion Santa Fe baseball team a 12-2, six-inning victory at Wellington-Napoleon.

The Chiefs weren't listed in the top 10 of the preseason rankings issued by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association, but after drubbing their first three opponents were installed at No. 1 in this week's poll.

Lovercamp hit his first shot in the second inning after junior Hunter Rolf singled. He followed a walk to senior Max Capps with another tater in the fifth.

Santa Fe jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first with three doubles, Lovercamp's preceding back-to-back run-scoring two-baggers by senior Ben Catlett and freshman Dalton Wilkinson. Sophomore Nathan Wesley's single brought in the last run of the rally.

Singles by senior Taylor Wesley and Wilkinson plated a third run in the second. Lovercamp walked and scored in the third and Wilkinson came around on a passed ball and Nathan Wesley's grounder after singling in the sixth.

The Tigers (1-3) scored both of their runs in the fifth on an error and singles by junior Caleb Kropp and senior Brett Williams, the second with two outs.

For all the damage done by the Chiefs, it could have been worse. They had two runners gunned down at home plate and left eight on base, including filled sacks in the second and fifth innings.

Senior Logan Kirchhoff and Taylor Wesley combined on the six-hitter, striking out six batters between them, for Santa Fe (4-0) -- which will play Monday at Wentworth Military Academy.